Driving a hire car in Norway
Norway's toll stations are automatic and invoice the tag-agreement holder or the vehicle's owner, which with a hire car means the rental company, so check how it passes tolls on. Studded tyres are allowed from 1 November to the first Sunday after Easter Monday, and Oslo charges a fee for using them.
Official sources read on 30 October 2026.
Find a rental carAutoPASS toll roads and toll rings
- All toll stations in Norway are automated. Every toll station is on the Norwegian Public Roads Administration's map, with a link to the toll company responsible for it and its rates.Source: AutoPASS (Norwegian Public Roads Administration) – "AutoPASS"
- Tolls are charged on certain roads, on projects that replace ferries and in urban packages. In some urban areas rates vary with the time of day or with the vehicle's weight and emissions.Source: AutoPASS (Norwegian Public Roads Administration) – "The road toll system"
- Anyone who drives on Norwegian roads must pay tolls. Registering an account with Epass24 or signing an AutoPASS agreement avoids a lookup fee.Source: Statens vegvesen (Norwegian Public Roads Administration) – "Drive safely in Norway"
How tolls reach a hire car
- A toll transaction is registered when the vehicle's tag is read or, without a tag, from a photo of the number plate. Toll service providers invoice customers who have an agreement; toll chargers invoice those who do not.Source: AutoPASS (Norwegian Public Roads Administration) – "The road toll system"
- With a tag and user agreement, each passage is registered to the agreement and invoiced by the toll service provider. Without them, a photo is taken of the number plate and an invoice for the regular toll rate, with no penalty charge, is sent by post from the toll charger that owns the station.Source: AutoPASS (Norwegian Public Roads Administration) – "Payment"
Ferries
- With an AutoPASS tag and user agreement you can pay on most ferries in Norway; there are some exceptions.Source: AutoPASS (Norwegian Public Roads Administration) – "Ferries"
- If you travel without a tag, prepayment agreement or FerryPay agreement, the number plate is read as you drive on and the vehicle's registered owner receives a full-price invoice by post plus an invoice fee of NOK 35 including VAT.Source: AutoPASS-ferje – "Frequently asked questions"
- With FerryPay you register a number plate and a bank card, also for a vehicle you do not own; the full fare is then charged to your card and the receipt sent by e-mail, without discounts.Source: AutoPASS-ferje – "Frequently asked questions"
Winter tyres, studded tyres and Oslo's fee
- Studded tyres may be used from 1 November up to and including the first Sunday after Easter Monday. In Nordland, Troms and Finnmark the period is 16 October to 30 April.Source: Statens vegvesen (Norwegian Public Roads Administration) – "Krav til dekk"
- In the same winter periods tyres must have at least 3 mm of tread; in summer the minimum is 1.6 mm. Summer tyres cannot be used on winter roads.Source: Statens vegvesen (Norwegian Public Roads Administration) – "Krav til dekk"
- Oslo charges a studded-tyre fee across the whole municipality, also if you only drive through. For a vehicle up to 3,500 kg it costs NOK 35 a day, NOK 450 a calendar month or NOK 1,400 for the season; driving without paying costs an extra NOK 750. The 2026–27 season runs from 1 November 2026 to 4 April 2027, and valid stickers from Bergen or Trondheim are accepted.Source: Oslo kommune – "Piggdekkgebyr"
Mountain passes, closed roads and convoys
- On mountain passes in bad weather, or at roadworks, cars may have to drive in convoy behind an escort vehicle: follow the signs and instructions, do not overtake or turn round, and keep at least 15 metres from a car in front and 50 metres from a heavy vehicle.Source: Statens vegvesen (Norwegian Public Roads Administration) – "Drive safely in Norway"
- Before a mountain pass, fill up or charge, bring warm clothes, food and drink, and check the weather forecast. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration's traffic app shows alerts and closed roads, tunnels and bridges.Source: Statens vegvesen (Norwegian Public Roads Administration) – "Drive safely in Norway"
Headlights and alcohol
- When driving a motor vehicle, main-beam or dipped headlights or approved daytime running lights must always be on.Source: Lovdata – Trafikkregler (forskrift 21 March 1986 no. 747), § 15 "Bruk av lys"
- A driver with more than 0.2 per mille of alcohol in the blood, or more than 0.1 mg per litre of exhaled air, is in all cases considered to be under the influence of alcohol.Source: Lovdata – Vegtrafikkloven (lov 18 June 1965 no. 4), § 22
Frequently asked questions
How do I pay tolls in a hire car in Norway?
You do not stop: toll stations are automatic and either read the car's tag or photograph the number plate. The invoice goes to the tag-agreement holder or the vehicle's owner, so with a hire car the rental terms decide how tolls are passed on to you.
Do I have to pay for ferries in a hire car?
Yes. On most ferries the car's AutoPASS tag is read; without a tag or agreement the owner receives a full-price invoice plus a NOK 35 fee. You can register the car's number plate and your bank card with FerryPay to pay the full fare yourself.
When can I use studded tyres in Norway?
From 1 November up to and including the first Sunday after Easter Monday, and from 16 October to 30 April in Nordland, Troms and Finnmark.
Do I have to pay Oslo's studded-tyre fee?
Yes, if the car has studded tyres and you drive in or through Oslo during the season: NOK 35 a day, NOK 450 a month or NOK 1,400 for the season for a car up to 3,500 kg. Driving without it costs an extra NOK 750.
What is the drink-driving limit in Norway?
0.2 per mille in the blood, or 0.1 mg per litre of exhaled air.
What happens on mountain roads in bad weather?
Traffic may be led in convoy behind an escort vehicle, and roads, tunnels and bridges can close. Check the Norwegian Public Roads Administration's traffic information before you set off and follow the instructions on site.